FRESH PRODUCE SUB SECTOR REVIEW February 15 –March 17, 2010 DR. Bablis Will Akus

OBJECTIVE Do a detailed review of the Agriculture Departments Fresh Produce Sub Sector in PAPUA NEW GUINEA. and Provide a sound analytical input into the implementation strategies of FPDA at the program level

TERMS OF REFERENCE 1. Review and undertake a technical audit of the past and ongoing work programs 2. Assess fresh produces’ potential sustainable productivity by undertaking a detailed analysis and/or review of the industry policies and economic importance, agro ecological zones, production and productivity trends and marketing systems and market accessibility. 3. Assess the socio cultural contexts and economic status of rural small holder communities who depend on the fresh produce sub sector on their livelihood. 4. Assess the regional and international collaboration and/or potential for trade in fruits and vegetables. 5. Support and contribute to the FPDA planning task force in its program formulation processes. 6.Access the fresh produce sectors response to cross cutting issues such as; Gender, HIV/AIDS and Climate Change.

A. Productivity Improvement Root and tuber crops 1.Sweet potato 2.Cassava 3.Taro 4.Potato 5.Taro Kongkong 4.Onions 7.Garlic 8.Ginger Root and tuber crops 1.Sweet potato 2.Cassava 3.Taro 4.Potato 5.Taro Kongkong 4.Onions 7.Garlic 8.Ginger

Sweet Potato POSITIVES 1.Over 100 trials involving sweet potato – Enormous amount of information available 2.Commercial varieties known -10 – Undergoing pathogen testing and cleansing 3.Volume of production 2.8million tons/yr Highlands 15 t/ha/yr Lowlands 13t/ha/yr

Constraints No clean planting material Slow Propagation of clean planting material Lack of sufficient labour No drought tolerant varieties

Opportunities

POTATO POSITIVES 1.Some research work done – Some information available 2.Commercial variety known – Saqoea 3.Volume of production 19 tons/yr Highlands 14 t/ha/yr POSITIVES 1.Some research work done – Some information available 2.Commercial variety known – Saqoea 3.Volume of production 19 tons/yr Highlands 14 t/ha/yr

CONSTRAINTS Susceptible to Potato late Blight No resistant material Slow Propagation of clean planting material Lack of sufficient labour Lack of land and laboratory accessibility Susceptible to Potato late Blight No resistant material Slow Propagation of clean planting material Lack of sufficient labour Lack of land and laboratory accessibility

Opportunities for potato Research to identify tolerant material Breed for resistant material here Introduce resistant material and evaluate Seed multiplication program must get priority Secure land for seed propagation. Land arrangement at NARI Tambul is unsatisfactory Build capacity. Employ research officers specific to potato program

Other Root Crops Taro Much research on the crop (DAL & NARI) Improved material (TLB resistant) available Technology on betel management available Rapid propagation technology available Cassava Sufficient Information (DAL; Holmes) Good yields Feasibility studies done for industry development Xanthosoma Little work Good yields where it is grown

Other Root Crops Contds Ginger Ginger has a long and established history of cultivation as a spice food Marketed and used in various forms; fresh, dried, prickled, preserved, grounded and uses in the form of oil and oleoresins. Ginger was introduced and has proven to grow prolifically in PNG especially in the mid-altitudinal areas like in Sogeri and the central highlands Many varieties were introduced, trialed and distributed and ginger is a common tuber spice crop in the local markets

CONSTRAINTS Taro Taro betel Plant nutrition issue Seasonality issue/does poorly in dry conditions Cassava Dry season issue

Opportunity Research on pest management continue Water harvesting in dry areas /Irrigation Mechanise (Cassava) Nutrition research Note: For all these you need to build capacity **Need to increase workforce (scientists/technicians/managers) and keep them

FRUIT CROPS Banana – Varity selection, Fruit Fly, Variety Introduction Mango – Variety introduction, propagation, fruit fly Pineapple Citrus – Variety introduction, root stock, vegetative propagation, clonal material conservation Water melon – Variety improvement (Taiwan Mission)

Other Fruit Crops Malay apple, Mangosteen, Mulberry, Passionfruit Apple, Sweetsop, Pulasan, Raspberry (Black),Raspberry (Red) Rollinia, Santol, Soursop, Watery rose apple, Abiu, Loquat Atemoya, Langsat, Breadfruit Brazil cherry, Kamquat Jackfruit Guava Bullocks heart Cape gooseberry Grape fruit Granadilla Cherimoya Governors plum Cherry guava Five corner fruit

FRUIT CROPS Contd Strawberry – Variety introduction and testing Pawpaw Introduction, Variety testing Rambutan – Introductions Tomato – Cultural practices (Hydroponics) Avocado Durian – Variety introduction and assessment

Vegetable crops Cauliflower Broccoli Tomato Capsicum Egg plant English cabbage Lettuce Chinese cabbage Carrots Beans Corn Cucumber Asparagus Cauliflower Broccoli Tomato Capsicum Egg plant English cabbage Lettuce Chinese cabbage Carrots Beans Corn Cucumber Asparagus

Strengths Various amounts of crop/yield/productivity research has gone into this crops All these crops grow prolifically Increased farmer knowledge Increasing demand for a lot of these crops